The triple substitution that changed everything for Wales and the contrasting fortunes since of Liverpool, Chelsea and Bournemouth stars

Ben Woodburn, David Brooks and Ethan Ampadu come on together against world champions to be France

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It was a photograph that has ultimately epitomised a changing of the guard.

But the fortunes of the three subjects featured could not be more contrasting.

The image in question is that of Ethan Ampadu, Ben Woodburn and David Brooks on the touchline at the Stade de France in November 2017.

The build-up to Wales' friendly clash with France was dominated by the future of Chris Coleman who had just seen his side agonisingly miss out on the chance to qualify for the 2018 World Cup in Russia after losing 1-0 to Ireland.

Having promised to give youth a chance against Didier Deschamps' men, Coleman made a bold and yet exciting triple substitution in his side's fixture with Les Bleus, the penultimate match of his reign as boss.

Trailing 1-0 to Antoine Griezmann's first-half goal, Coleman sent on Brooks, Ampadu and Woodburn in the 63rd minute of the game in Paris, with the former two making their debuts.

And having been run ragged for the majority of the game by the side that went on to win the World Cup just nine months later, welsh fans enjoyed a brief period on the edge of their seats as the young guns showed what the hype was all about.

France won the game with an Olivier Giroud goal, but the image taken midway through the second half served as a real indicator as to how things would change for Wales - ironically enough starting with Coleman himself as he joined Sunderland.

Euro 2016 stars including Andy King, Joe Ledley, Ashley Wiliams and Chris Gunter found game time increasingly difficult to come by under new boss Ryan Giggs who has given the likes of Ampadu, Connor Roberts, Chris Mepham, Brooks, Daniel James and Harry Wilson among others prominent roles during his tenure so far.

And such has been the emergency of youth under Manchester United legend Giggs, even the fresh-faced members of the Wales squad now have a fight on their hands to remain as regulars.

The winger claimed Best Player award at the prestigious competition, Brooks turned out for Wales' Under-21 side before earning a call-up from Coleman after impressing with Sheffield United.

Since that exciting cameo in Paris, Brooks has gone from strength to strength, earning himself an £11.5m switch to Bournemouth where he has continued to develop his game.

After scoring his first Wales goal against Croatia, Brooks' 2019/20 season was over before it had even started as he sustained an ankle injury during training before a further setback that has ensured he has not kicked a ball since that 2-1 loss in Osijek.

Former winger Giggs has plenty of wide options at present, but in Brooks, he has an absolute gem on his hands.

The coronavirus outbreak at least means Brooks - as is the case with Joe Allen - will be given more time to fully recover before making an impact for Wales at the Euros.

And it remains to be seen which club Brooks will be playing for by the time Wales lock horns with Switzerland, Turkey and Italy in the group stages, with Tottenham and Manchester United among the clubs heavily linked with a swoop for the 22-year-old.

Wales' David Brooks scores against Croatia (Image: PA)

Ben Woodburn

Wales caps: 10

Club appearances: 30 (Liverpool: 11; Sheffield United: 8; Oxford: 11)

The attacker was thrust into the limelight during' Wales 2018 World Cup qualifying campaign, scoring just five minutes into his debut against Austria to become his country's second youngest goalscorer.

Woodburn made a telling impact in the next qualifier against Moldova and rightly earned rave reviews, as he had done when viewed behind the scenes as the star turn of the Wales age-grade side that beat England and France.

He also eclipsed Michael Owen's record as Liverpool's youngest scorer, aged just 17 years and 45 days when netting against Leeds.

But the going has been tough for Woodburn since that whirlwind period.

Having been short-listed for the Golden Boy award in 2018, Woodburn was sent on loan to Sheffield United for the duration of the 2018/19 season but struggled to impress at Bramall Lane and made just eight appearances.

Woodburn returned to Liverpool after sustaining an ankle injury and actually ended last season with a Champions League winner's medal.

But he wasn't breaking into Jurgen Klopp's set-up and was loaned out to Oxford. This time, Woodburn showed signs of promise, before a foot injury ultimately ruined his stint at the Kassam Stadium.

His lack of game time at club level proved costly, with Woodburn failing to play a single minute of Wales' Euro 2020 qualifiers.

At just 20 years of age, Woodburn has plenty of time to establish himself as a first team regular for club and country and his talents are highly regarded by Klopp and Giggs.

But the two fellow teens who stood alongside him on the sidelines in Paris have already shown that the competition is fierce in the Welsh set-up at present.

Ben Woodburn celebrates his winner against Austria

Ethan Ampadu

Wales caps: 13

Club appearances: 32 (Exeter: 13; Chelsea: 12; RB Leipzig: 7)

As with Woodburn, Ampadu has - and is - experiencing what a difficult loan spell feels like.

The versatile holding midfielder has desperately struggled for regular action since being sent to RB Leipzig by Chelsea last summer.

“To be honest, mixed. Yeah, I’d say mixed," he told The Athletic about his time in Germany so far.

“There’s been a lot of frustration at times; however, I’ve learned a lot through those frustrations which will only help me later in my career. I’ve not played as many games as I’d have liked to but in the games I’ve played in, I think I’ve done reasonably well. That’ll give me confidence, but I’ve things to learn from."